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Dirty Dr Pepper is my 2-minute copy of the creamy Sonic drink, made with Dr Pepper, coconut cream, and a squeeze of fresh lime. It is fizzy and sweet with a smooth coconut finish and just enough lime to keep it from tasting like straight soda.
I keep coconut coffee creamer in the fridge all summer for this. When the afternoon hits and I want something cold and a little more fun than a plain soda, this is what I make. It tastes like the Sonic version without the drive-through line.
Here is the part most people get wrong. Pour the soda too fast and it foams up and overflows before you can add the cream. Tilt the glass and pour slow, and you get a clean, fizzy drink with room for the coconut on top.
This is one of my dirty soda recipes, so if you want the original orange dirty soda or another Sonic favorite like my copycat Sonic slushes, those are both quick too.
What You’ll Need
- Dr Pepper: Regular or diet both work. Chill it well first, because cold soda foams less and stays fizzy longer once the cream goes in.
- Coconut coffee creamer: This is the creamy, tropical layer and my shortcut for the coconut flavor. Liquid coconut creamer, not powder. If you only have coconut syrup, use a splash of that plus a little half and half instead.
- Fresh lime: A teaspoon of fresh-squeezed lime is what keeps this from being flat-sweet. Bottled lime tastes dull here, so use a real wedge.
- Nugget or pebble ice: The soft, chewable ice is what makes it feel like a Sonic drink. Crushed ice works if you cannot get nugget ice.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Dirty Dr Pepper
Step 1: Ice and Lime First Fill a tall glass with nugget ice and squeeze the fresh lime juice over the top.
Step 2: Pour the Soda Slowly Tilt the glass and pour the chilled Dr Pepper down the side, slowly, then stand the glass upright as it fills. This keeps the foam from bubbling over.
Step 3: Add the Coconut Cream Pour in the coconut coffee creamer and give it a gentle stir. You will see it swirl into that creamy “dirty” look.
Step 4: Garnish and Sip Add a lime wheel to the rim and a straw, and drink it right away while it is cold and fizzy.
Storage
This one is a make-it-and-drink-it drink. The soda goes flat within an hour or two, so it does not hold. If you want to prep ahead, keep the lime juice and coconut creamer in separate containers in the fridge for up to a week and mix everything in the glass right before serving.
More Drink Recipes
Dirty Dr Pepper
Ingredients
- 1 cup ice nugget ice preferred
- 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lime juice or a squeeze of juice from a small wedge of lime
- 1 cup Dr Pepper soda chilled
- 4 tablespoons Coconut Creme non-dairy coffee creamer Coffee Mate brand used
- Lime circle ⅛-¼ inch thick, optional garnish for edge of glass
Instructions
- Fill a 16 ounce sized glass with ice and top with the fresh squeezed lime juice.1 cup ice , 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lime juice
- Slowly pour in the chilled Dr Pepper soda into the glass being careful not to create too many foamy bubbles on top. Tilting the glass on a slight angle as you pour, then gradually standing the glass back upright when done pouring in the soda, helps to prevent lots of foam from forming as you pour the soda into the glass.1 cup Dr Pepper soda
- Pour the coconut creme non-dairy coffee creamer into the glass and stir gently to combine.4 tablespoons Coconut Creme non-dairy coffee creamer
- Garnish the rim of the glass with a single fresh lime circle, if desired and serve with a straw.Lime circle
Jenn’s Notes
- Fresh lime juice tastes brighter than bottled and balances the sweet coconut and Dr Pepper.
- Tilt the glass as you pour the soda so the foam does not bubble over.
- Taste and adjust, more lime if it is too sweet, more coconut creamer if it is too tart.
I never had one until this year, and I truly enjoy the flavor it was worth trying and will continue to drink it from time to time.